SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 9

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHARGE THE LEGISLATIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE WITH RECEIVING TESTIMONY AND REPORTING ON STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CUTS TO SENIOR CITIZEN SERVICES AND THE IMPACT OF THOSE CUTS ON SENIOR CITIZENS IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, many New Mexico senior citizens face challenges such as living on a reduced income, health issues and increased levels of food insecurity; and

     WHEREAS, according to aging and long-term services department statistics, by 2030, the population of New Mexicans aged sixty or older will more than double, placing New Mexico third in the nation for percentage of population aged sixty or older; and

     WHEREAS, the aging and long-term services department reports that New Mexico ranks eighth among all states in the percentage of people aged sixty or older living with food insecurity; and

     WHEREAS, recent state and federal government cuts to budgets supporting senior citizen services have a direct impact on nutrition services provided to senior citizens in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, compared to thirty-five percent nationally, forty-six percent of New Mexico seniors report having to choose between buying food and paying for utilities; and

     WHEREAS, senior citizen nutritional programs are available in New Mexico communities, with congregate meals served in a setting such as a senior or community center, home-delivered meals to clients who are homebound and nutritional programs that provide elders a nutritious breakfast and lunch; and

     WHEREAS, thirty percent of New Mexico's senior citizens seek help from food pantries; and

     WHEREAS, food insecurity is associated with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, aggression, anxiety and depression; and

     WHEREAS, ninety-two percent of recipients who receive meals delivered to their homes said the meals allowed them to live at home; and

     WHEREAS, often, the meal provided by a meals program is the only hot meal a senior citizen receives each day; a lack of food occasionally leaves senior citizens at centers without a noon meal; and meal delivery schedules may be erratic because of vehicle bonding issues; and

     WHEREAS, rural meal sites are threatened annually with closures; and

     WHEREAS, food distribution organizations are faced with a lack of available fresh fruits and vegetables, and senior centers have been prohibited from growing their own fruits and vegetables; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico addresses senior citizen hunger issues on several fronts through programs provided by the aging and long-term services department, the policy advisory committee and four area agencies on aging; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of agriculture food and nutrition service administers the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program and commodity supplemental food program in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, local meals on wheels programs are administered through a federal community development block grant program administered by the United States department of housing and urban development; and 

     WHEREAS, the future of these programs is uncertain, and information is needed on how funding cuts impact the nutritional services that can be provided to senior citizens in New Mexico;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to charge the legislative health and human services committee with receiving testimony by August 1, 2018 related to state and federal government cuts to senior citizen services and the impact of those cuts on senior citizens in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative health and human services committee be requested to solicit reporting from the aging and long-term services department, the policy advisory committee, the area agencies on aging and the United States department of agriculture food and nutrition service's supplemental nutrition assistance program; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative health and human services committee report its findings and conclusions during the 2018 interim; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council, the chair of the legislative health and human services committee, members of the policy advisory committee, the secretary of aging and long-term services, representatives of the area agencies on aging, the United States secretary of housing and urban development and the United States secretary of agriculture.

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